Top state Democrat looks to punish Michigan over right-to-work vote

posted at 6:09 pm on December 7, 2012 by Erika Johnsen

Ed’s already noted that, with the likely passage of right-to-work legislation in union-heavy Michigan next week, we can pretty much expect that things are going to take a turn for the crazy really quickly — and it’s already starting. Reports the Washington Times:

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer, who on Thursday called the votes to approve the right-to-work measure “petty and vindictive politics,” sparked more backlash Friday when she said she wants the president, who is set to visit Detroit on a previously scheduled political trip on Monday, to push back on Republican Gov. Rick Snyder by holding back federal money for a new international bridge project to Canada and a badly needed mass-transit program in ailing Detroit.

“We are hoping that when President Obama comes to Michigan next week, that this is going to be on his radar screen, that he’s going to say Michigan doesn’t care about their middle class, [so] why should we be bending over backwards to make sure that this governor is able to deliver on his promise,” said Mrs. Whitmer in an interview with local radio station WWJ.

So, Whitmer — who is considered a Democratic possibility to challenge Synder for Michigan’s governorship in 2014 — wants President Obama to use the federal government as leverage to intervene in an entirely states’-rights matter? Because Michigan, perfectly legally and democratically, has decided to pass legislation already adopted by 23 other states and brought said states greater economic growth and opportunity, to which Democrats happen to object because it undercuts the power of a union stronghold? Wow, that doesn’t sound like cutting your nose of to spite your face, at all.

But, I suppose these “petty and vindictive” politics are worth it, because the Michigan Republicans passing right-to-work legislation actually is a lot like the Japanese attacking Pearl Harbor during WWII… or something?